Firefighters continue to monitor several small fire starts

Firefighters made good progress on yesterday’s lightning starts, as follows:

North Fire: 100% contained by Durango Fire & Rescue Authority at about 9:30 last night. The fire was located on the Taylor Ranch property in Durango Hills, approximately .2 acre

Cutoff Fire: 100% contained, located on BLM land SE of Helen’s Store and west of Enchanted Forest Estates, approximately .25 acre

Vosburg Pike Fire: 100% contained, located on BLM land near the intersection of County Roads 225 and 228, approximately 3 acres

Pinyon 2 Fire:estimated at 35 acres, is the largest of the new fire starts and is burning west of Hwy 140 and southwest of Red Mesa on Southern Ute lands, off County Road 106. The retardant lines laid down last night helped hold the fire in check. There is one 20-person hotshot crew working the fire today and two more 20-person crews should arrive around noon. A heavy helicopter will be supporting the firefighters as needed.

Vista fire: Another fire burning on the west side of the county off County Road 117 has been contained at .3 acre.

Firefighters are also working two small fires in Archuleta County on Southern Ute land. The larger of the two, Archuleta, is about 5 acres and 40% contained. There are about 10 firefighters on it and they are being supported by a Type 3 helicopter. The King ValleyFire is about 1 acre and is close to the New Mexico line. It is either a rekindle of a June 19 fire or lightning struck in the exact same spot. The fires are within about five miles of each other and are located south and east of Juanita.

Firefighters will be checking on all fires today to make sure there is not any lingering heat.